The
eye-catching cigar menu is a good indicator of the cigar’s importance
at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. Comfortable seating around the fire pit
looking over the dunes, beach and ocean add warmth and romance to a
nighttime ambiance accented by refreshing sea breezes, star-filled sky
and sounds of waves. It’s also a very welcoming environment in which to
light up.

Ritz-Carlton’s
location on a barrier beach island in the extreme northeast corner of
Florida is but a short 30 minute drive from Jacksonville’s airport and
only 10 minutes to the Victorian seaport town of Fernandina Beach.

The
luxury oceanfront hotel setting is striking and blends pleasantly with
the surrounding sand, water and sky. It stands prominently surveying the
sea and sandy beaches with long views up and down the coast. The
exceptional service-oriented staff’s attentive, relaxed style made for a
very enjoyable stay at the 444-ocean view balconied guestroom and suite
hotel, and dining at Café 4750 and Salt Restaurant.

The
lovely coastal setting is conducive to amenities, both indoor and
outdoor, as well as recreational activities, including full-service spa,
heated swimming pools, whirlpools, fitness center, biking, horse riding
on the beach, kayaking, sailing, fishing, tennis and golf. Adjacent to
the hotel is The Golf Club of Amelia Island, a Mark McCumber/Gene
Littler design, for members and Ritz-Carlton guests. It’s a delightful
resort track offering a very playable layout or challenging round,
depending on your choice of tees.

After
dinner, I fired up a Camacho Liberty Series 2006 that came in a
numbered cedar box. While enjoying the smoke, darkness fell and an
explosion of fireworks caught me by surprise. Launched from the beach in
front of the hotel, it filled the sky with an extended display, a
vibrant show that complemented the night and the cigar.

What better way to enjoy the beauty of the Ritz-Carlton than to arrive with a cigar in hand with a customized blend and a <a href="http://www.customtobacco.com">personlaized</a> label.

rpiranian@yahoo.comMay 16, 2013 1:50am ET

The trip from Jacksonville is a cigar and a half. The fire pit is huge, seating is very comfortable, great view of ocean. Service is superb as we ate dinner at fire pit smoking with a nice Maker 46. There is live music inside on Friday. Woke up and had coffee and cigar.